6 Questions for Dominick diOrio
An Interview
Recognized with The American Prizes in both Choral Composition (2014) and Choral Performance (2019, with NOTUS), Dominick DiOrio is an imaginative, enthusiastic, and energetic conductor and composer who has won widespread acclaim for his contributions to American music.
What was your first composition?
My very first composition was written when I was studying piano at six years old with my mother. Consisting of just 12 notes, it was four measures setting the text “I love you, Mom.” While it has not received any subsequent performances, I know it meant a lot to my mom at the time!
Which other composers inspire you?
I am deeply inspired by the music of Orlando di Lasso, J.S. Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, Benjamin Britten, Steve Reich, Krzysztof Penderecki, and Leonard Bernstein. These composers were all formative influences for me during my early days singing in choruses, and they helped to influence my own choral writing style today. I am also very inspired by many living composers, including James MacMillan, Caroline Shaw, Reena Esmail, and many, many others.
Your most emotional musical experience to date?
I had the chance to prepare the three choruses for Penderecki’s St. Luke Passion at Indiana University when Penderecki himself came to visit in 2017. (I also wrote my doctoral thesis on this same work.) The chance to connect all of these strands of my life — scholarship, teaching, performance, and composition — while interacting with one of the 20th century’s greatest composers was life-changing for me, and continues to be one of my fondest musical memories.
Where do you prefer to compose?
For me it’s not so much where as when — my best composing happens first thing in the morning! I am most creative in the early morning hours, before the logistical detritus of the day (emails, meetings, etc.) begins to invade my consciousness. For this reason, I am very protective of that early morning time.
What are you working at the moment?
I am about to embark on composing a new, major 30-minute work for SATB chorus and piano on the themes of love and community, in honor of our long-time chair of our board of directors at the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia. We will be premiering it this summer in Montreal, Toronto, and Quebec in June, and then in Philadelphia in October.
When you’re not composing or making music, then …
I am cooking! My husband and I both love classic European cuisine (I am Italian-American and his family hails from central and Eastern Europe.) I also love eating out at restaurants. Thai food is one of my favorite indulgences, and I make it a point to find the best Thai restaurant I can in every city I visit. (My favorite at the moment is Kalaya in Philadelphia. I’ve never eaten more delicious Thai food!)
Dominick diOrio
Et vitam venturi
Coro (SATB)
Carus 7.461/60
Dominick diOrio is an award-winning conductor and composer. He teaches at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and conducts the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia. He is known for his innovative compositions, his work with renowned ensembles such as NOTUS and his performances in major concert halls worldwide. DiOrio is also committed to the promotion of choral music and has held leading roles in various choral organisations.
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